Football's Original TPU Cushioning Helmet Now Protects Even Better

Share Article

DNA™ Pro from Schutt Sports Now Features SKYDEX2® Cushioning

There never was a question as to whether or not we were going to extend SKYDEX2® further into our product line than the ION4D™ or AiR XP™

Litchfield, Illinois (PRWEB)June 10, 2008

Behind all of the industry energy surrounding the debut of its two newest football helmets, the ION4D and the AiR XP, Schutt Sports, Inc. has quietly upgraded another helmet in its product line, the DNA™ Pro, to the next generation of SKYDEX2 cushioning.

Thermoplastic Urethane (TPU) Cushioning has been in the DNA™ Pro since it was introduced with great success in 2003. The DNA™ Pro was the first helmet to move beyond the traditional foam padding that, for decades, has provided protection in football. Schutt Sports is still the only helmet manufacturer in the world to put helmets on the field that use padding materials superior to foam.

"When we introduced the DNA™ Pro five years ago, we were able to extend the protective capabilities of a football helmet," says Ray Drake, Product Development Manager at Schutt. "Using SKYDEX® cushions instead of foam padding, we were able to make a helmet that absorbed more impact in game like conditions than anything that was on the field."

Now, that original SKYDEX® cushioning system has given way to the next generation, SKYDEX2®. The new cushions have 3D curved shapes that make the helmet more comfortable and increase its protective power. Instead of flat cushions, the new SKYDEX2® closely follows the contour of a player's head and the open design allows even more air to flow around the inside of the helmet, effectively keeping the player cooler.

"As we continue to work with our partners to develop even better cushioning systems, like SKYDEX® and SKYDEX2®," says Drake, "The capabilities of our helmets will continue getting better and better."

The next generation of TPU Cushioning is featured in both the ION4D™ and AiR XP™, helmets that have been introduced in the last six months by Schutt. Now, the DNA™ Pro -- like the veteran who has given way to the hot-shot new rookie but comes off the bench to save the game -- is getting a new life with the SKYDEX2® cushioning.

Helmet tests conducted by independent research labs showed that TPU Cushioning absorbs significantly more impact in game-like conditions than helmets with traditional foam padding. That research showed the DNA™ Pro (with its original SKYDEX cushioning system) absorbed up to 30% more impact than a common competitor, the Riddell® Revolution®. Now, with the new SKYDEX2® going into the DNA™ Pro, that gap is only going to widen.

"There never was a question as to whether or not we were going to extend SKYDEX2® further into our product line than the ION4D™ or AiR XP™," says J.C. Wingo, Executive Director of Football Development at Schutt. "The DNA™ Pro is the original TPU helmet and there are tens of thousands of players who love wearing that helmet. We're going to make sure that, if they stay with that helmet, they're going to get the absolute best product we can give them and that means upgrading the cushioning system inside the helmet to SKYDEX2®."

Schutt is currently shipping DNA™ Pro helmets with the new SKYDEX2® cushioning systems already in place.

Riddell® and Revolution® are registered trademarks of Riddell Inc and Ridmark Corp.